Is The College Admissions Process Broken?

[roycroftmom]

That ranking is largely based upon graduate departments and the research of professors; undergrad strength is not really being measured.

[jym626]

If the goal was simply to get to America, there wouldn’t be such heavy weighting of international applications to the top schools. Sure there are applications to and attendance at other schools, and some are chasing schools that offer merit to internationals, but how many do we see here asking about how to get into/chances at, say Winthrop University or Molloy University? (And yes, I picked 2 random schools that we rarely see mentioned her at all). But there are many internationals who strive for admission to the top US schools, not just any US school.

[Aimlesscat1]

@roycroftmom

That ranking is largely based upon graduate departments and the research of professors; undergrad strength is not really being measured.

I agree completely which is one of the issues that I have with Ivy+ (or T20) mindset of many. If rankings were focused on undergraduate strength you would likely see LACs far higher in the rankings because of their teaching focus.

[roycroftmom]

A handful of top schools offer financial aid to internationals. Of course most apply to them

[jym626]

If you read my post, I already mentioned those chasing the merit money. But there are many internationals who aren’t looking for merit money (as we know, many schools do not offer it to internationals) and many seem to not need it.

[DadOfJerseyGirl]

@fiftyfifty1

I have never thought that international students were attracted to American schools due to the schools themselves, but rather because they are in America.

From some of the international students I’ve hired over the years, the opportunity to come to America (and possibly stay on if they found a sponsoring employer) was definitely a big part of the reason they applied. However, they did still recognize US colleges as being among the best in the world.

@jym626

how many do we see here asking about how to get into/chances at, say Winthrop University or Molloy University?

There are probably less than 2 dozen US schools most people around the world can name. But thanks to the Internet (and forums like CC), students abroad are discovering more schools.

[roycroftmom]

Merit money isnt the issue. Many internationals qualify for need based aid at the few places that offer it

[Aimlesscat1]

@fiftyfifty1

I have never thought that international students were attracted to American schools due to the schools themselves, but rather because they are in America. If and when the United States is no longer the world’s foremost superpower, I expect international students will want to go to the new superpower for school, whatever the style of this superpower’s schools happens to be.

Probably lots of interesting discussion around this. Alot to unpack considering economic opportunity, social freedoms, quality of American schools relative to alternatives, etc.

[Chekov]

@Rivet2000

Lottery

That’s the ticket
Everyone has equal opportunity to become our next great physicist

That and a set of handicaps.

[jym626]

@DadOfJerseyGirl

There are probably less than 2 dozen US schools most people around the world can name

Sadly, that is also true of many, many people in the US. If the school doesn’t have a Division 1 sports team, many here in the US are unfamiliar with many schools. We here on CC live in a bubble.

[jym626]

My typo. Meant merit or need based aid. Covid brain!

[Rivet2000]

@Mwfan1921

And even in the US one can choose to only apply to rack and stack schools if that’s what they prefer.

Do you have a list of such schools? Curious.

[jym626]

My DH takes classes when he can (free for seniors) in the graduate CIS department. The classes are 90% Indian students. Many of them approach him about internships and/or jobs.

[GRR]

Off topic. Deleted.

[michaelcollege]

@Rivet2000

Do you have a list of such schools? Curious.

• start with test required
• little attention paid to athletes unless at the academic level

MIT is one IMO

[worriedmomucb]

@michaelcollege

• start with test required
• little attention paid to athletes unless at the academic level

MIT is one IMO

Test blind, but I think some of the CSUs are basically rack and stack?

[roycroftmom]

Stack based on what if test blind? CA gpa? With an overall 90% acceptance rate, they are close to open enrollment. I think the poster was asking about selective schools.

[worriedmomucb]

Not all have that high an acceptance rate, especially for impacted majors. Yes, based on GPA which intersects with rigor, as well as the number of classes in core areas. I think there are some other factors as well (such as residence in the service location), but it is done on a standardized and transparent points system. At least that is my understanding of it.

[roycroftmom]

12 CSUs have acceptance rates over 90%. An additional 6 more have rates between 80-90%. I don’t think there is much racking or stacking going on there; ACT scores, back when they were required, for the bottom 25% were around 15-18.

[worriedmomucb]

Again, can be much lower for impacted major. Because regardless of this, the question was about rack and stack admissions. Here, for example, is SJSU’s admissions strategy for impacted majors which, while I am no expert, certainly appears at least in spirit of rack and stack as it is done on a transparent points system.